News Release

How the poppy evolved its pain-relieving properties

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

The unveiling of the poppy genome reveals how a collection of genes fused to endow the plant with its pain-relieving compounds; the plant underwent a notable genome duplication event about 7.8 million years ago, the study's authors say. Since the Neolithic times, humans have harvested the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) for its various alkaloids including morphine and codeine, which yield effects ranging from pain relief and cough suppression to euphoria, sleepiness and addiction. Now, sequencing of the plant's genome reveals how the poppy came to produce these compounds. Li Guo and colleagues assembled about 95% of the P. somniferum L. genome, finding that repetitive elements make up a substantial portion of the genetic code, and in particular, long terminal repeat retrotransposons, bits of DNA that duplicate in a way similar to viruses, are prominent. The authors compared the poppy genome to the genomes of other plants including Aquilegia coerulea and Nelumbo nucifera, finding that the plants diverged from one another around 110 and 125 million years ago, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis demonstrated 65% support of a whole genome duplication event occurring about 7.8 million years ago. The data reveal that, just before the whole genome was duplicated, a specific gene cluster became fused together in a manner that ultimately produces the morphine and codeine compounds that humans have enjoyed for so many years since.

###


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.